Miss Universe 2021 Japan entry slammed for wearing 'dead person’s kimono'

Im sure it has nothing to do with her not being "pureblood" Japanese, or growing up in Japan...

I think the costume is a bit too revealing. Maybe she could have gone with a bit more traditional style instead to avoid triggering some people. And i think writing japan on her chess kinda ruin the aesthetic of her costume. If they had writing it in a more beautiful art style like calligraphy, it might have work. Otherwise it look a lot like a cheap tattoo that she has on her chest area.

When can we expect ET to represent Japan?

Those complaining will have a heart attack if they go to a Coming of Age ceremony these past few years. There are some girls with all types of funky kimono fashion.

Since this whole “article” is reprinted reactions…

I am Japanese, not offended, son’t even care, thanks for trying or mimicking something you like from Japan.

If the goal wasn’t to offend me then why would I bother conjuring a negative emotion?

Not to mention I have my day and lifr to get on with.

So what? I for one would love to see ALL these "Miss" competitions go away. The legions of "runner ups" and "losers" who spend literally millions upon millions of dollars in preparation is staggering, and all the businesses that make tons of cash, off the "looks" of these young women is incredible.

All for what?

People looking for anything to get offended by found what they were looking for.

I don't understand the criticism of her "kimono." It looks like a short dress with a long train to me. It is definitely not like any kimono I have ever seen.

Details aside, it is unfortunately, not a very good design from top to bottom.

Kudos to Juri Watanabe: she's the perfect contestant as "Miss Kitsch Japan"'.

Some people are easily triggered and so constantly wound up they snap like twigs.

Good luck to her.

This reminds me to the "Ghost of Tsushima" game, it is choked full of things that foreigners like about Japan, maybe not completely to the taste of Japanese people but much better received by an international audience.

It's a cheesy outfit.

Another thing that bothered people was the way the kimono was folded over the model’s chest — right over left, which is only seen on kimono worn by dead people.

Understandable. Living women's kimono are folded over chest - culturally left over right.

I don't particularly care about beauty contests, but I feel this entire thing could have been avoided if they had maybe one Japanese designer on staff as a consultant? Especially something as simple as folding the dress the right way. It isn't a particularly big deal but it is so easily avoided it really shouldn't be an issue to begin with, unless it was intentional.

So bad that they have to play into Japanese stereotypes... it's so obvious a foreigner with limited knowledge of Japan has styled and dressed her.

Pathetic, if that were all they have to worry about! Sadly it isn’t.

Pretty girl, though I am not sure what purpose these competitions are meant to achieve. If it’s a beauty contest then ban makeup and clothes so they are judged on their actual appearance.

I was not offended and didn't even think this was near enough to be considered a kimono. Therefore, the way it overlapped didn't even matter. It was just...amateurish.

Wow what a hot mess …..

Ok, some say that people are easily triggered,

OK first what does an Israeli designer know about Japan, Japanese traditions, etc...

Second if this young lady had the slightest knowledge of her culture she would know the proper direction to close a Kimono for the living and the dead.

This is not being triggered, think what the reaction would be in any other country/culture that has traditions regarding the dead.

Would it have gone unnoticed if a western contestant was shown with coins covering their eye, or a with cloth over their face,

This is a silly mistake that shows zero respect for the culture of Japan.

The Harajuku inspiration is not a problem the chrysanthemum and incorrect direction of the kimono is clearly in bad taste.

I'm not offended.

Maybe we underestimate the intelligence and courage of this woman, who holds a degree in International Development Studies from UCLA and has experienced the difficulties of growing up across cultures and being different in Japan.

By proudly wearing the chrysanthemum, a Japan tattoo and folding the kimono funeral-style she is declaring on stage that the country and its old, hyper conservative institutions are officially dead and that there are more than one way to be Japanese.

what a "miss"...give me a break guys

It's not just the outfit that's "cheesy". So is her agenda.

It reminds me of an idol group wearing the Waffen SS uniform a few years back . I was literally shocked but not many here in Japan did react. When it touches our own culture, reactions are fusing.

She looks Filipina too, no offense.

Terrible choices all around. Pull it together Japan.

the headline for this article is a bit misleading...I thought she was actually wearing some garment which had belonged to a dead person...they should have written "dead person style" or "deceased person kimono wearing style" instead I think...

Ohayo gozai masu. Not too nice of her, I say. Her outfit, that is.

Doesn't even look like a kimono so...¯_(ツ)_/¯

Terrible choices all around. Pull it together Japan.

Japan has little say in it!

The contestants have to wear what is given them.

In this case a Non Japanese Israeli "designer" with zero knowledge of Japan, Japanese culture, etc... designed this monstrosity.

Well, there you have it folks, the Desired Effect; Shock & Outrage...no doubt this is what they were going for and they got it. Being that I had an immediate family member struck down at an early age, I take quite exception to this. How Typical.

louisferdinandcToday  10:21 am JST

Respectfully what a load of....

She just doesn't know Japanese culture or traditions.

Harajuku is where my daughter spent much of her time, it is a best example of counterculture in Japan where "shocking" people and the old guard is a daily thing.

But death, funerals, and certain things are off limits even to the most outlandish of the Harajuku crowd.

A Non Japanese Israeli designed this monstrosity, but she should have at least had the minimum knowledge to tell him he crossed a line.

Imagine if this was held in a country outside Israel, and the designer used a Jewish burial shroud as part of Miss Israel's dress, do you think she would have accepted that? Do you think the Jewish audience would just say nothing?

Whatever. Move on!

The whole show looks like a big circus.

I wonder if they had used a Tachrichim (תכריכים) as part of Miss Israel's costume if people would be saying things like "get over it", "move on", "people are easily triggered", etc...

I do not understand the big fuss about kimono. She is wearing a dress, not a kimono, does not even look like a wrap dress as it seems there are button on the back and I do not see anything looking like a folding part ; the button also kind of look more like it was sew to the top.

Would have people preferred her to wear a man dress, because it will exactly be all the meaning the result if the folding looking part was made the other way ? I do not think the hatter will have been anymore happy.

For the tattoo, I do not think they had lot of option. The chest part is just too wide. It had to be cut one way or another. The usual would be necklace but it have to be something about Japan. So the quickest pick will have been sakura. That is even more pink. Black was the easiest bet a it is featured on the top so will allow to pursue the dynamic of the upper part. Black sakura on the neck as representation of Japan on an international stage ? I have doubt. The tattoo doesn't seems like such a bad choice thought it look like better in the official photo. It remind calligraphy and use kanji. And manage to do what it is used for : cut the full chest area.

Some people need to understand a bit more about fashion.

Would have people preferred her to wear a man dress, because it will exactly be all the meaning the result if the folding looking part was made the other way ? I do not think the hatter will have been anymore happy.

????

In Japanese culture three is no man or woman folding side, you are mixing up different cultures now.

One way of crossing a kimono is for the living male or female, the other way is for the dead male or female.

Some people need to understand a bit more about fashion.

And some need to learn more about Japanese culture.

Funny how asking if using a Tachrichim (תכריכים) as part of Miss Israel's costume would be ok gets down voted but no one dares point out why.

Seems bashing Japanese culture, tradition and calling those upset old and not willing to change is just fine.

But I again ask, would it be acceptable to have used a Tachrichim (תכריכים) as part of Miss Israel's costume? And if not why?

Japan doesn't have a traditional funeral clothing but it has a very specific way of dressing the dead which is no different than the Jewish tradition of using a Tachrichim (תכריכים).

@louisferdinandc

Or it's a terrible person with a terrible costume.

I'm siding with the latter.

What a hullabaloo about nothing - nothing!!!

The costume owes more to Anime, Disney Princesses and Cosplay than any traditional Japanese garb.

In fact with the Pink Hairdo, Mini-Skirt and Sultry looks she is a character straight out of Sailor Moon or even Senki Zesshou Symphogear.

Kimono - be real.

The costume owes more to Anime, Disney Princesses and Cosplay than any traditional Japanese garb.

Yet even Amine, Cosplay, wouldn't dare cross a Kimono like or kimono inspired garment the way one does for the dead.

There are some lines that even the most avant-garde in Japan will not cross.

@browny1

Please find one anime with such a disrespectful look of a kimono.

If you wear western cloth, wear western cloth.

Don't mix.

Now I just see the tattoo.

This person is just plain tasteless, she looks like she's out of Auswitlz.

No wonder she's getting booed.

You can find much better looking girl in your nearby supermarket, this world is getting crazy.

@zichi

I don't care.

How shallow and vapid people's lives have become...to be "insulted" by such trivialities. I'd hate to see the "proud" lives these critics live out from their bastion of outraged anonymity! lol.

Pathetic. Get a life, people. Please.

@Hito Bito

I don't see why not, this person deserves it.

@Antiquesaving

It is not a kimono. It is a dress. So it follows dress rules. If she went on the stage with a male dress all comments will be about her wearing a male dress. Do you really think the hatter will like it ? And just average Japanese fashionisita when they will be seen as messing it up ?

As far as I know : there is not folding on one side or another. It is 2 clothes cut sewed together. There are buttons on the back.

And frankly the resemblance of the torso/back part with kimono is very loose. The kimono referral is in the shelves.

And some need to learn more about Japanese culture.

The ones considering this kind of dress as an option for the dead ?

Or the one interested in where the folding come from ?

https://hyakumonogatari.com/2012/04/04/what-is-the-white-kimono-japanese-ghosts-wear/

What if actually the stylist, outside of my interpretation of his piece, actually took it for a kimono and decided to incorporate Japan history in it and/or their mythology ?

I do not think it is far more fetched than a stylist wanting to make a kimono looking torso/back which did not look like one and without doing researching about it, which will bring in any other website about how you have to fold it.

Waiting to have to poor sir and lady have to apologize because nyanyanya Japan fabulous, ancestral culture, foreigner stupid, ...

It is a creation and frankly not a bad one moreover compared to some others. Should we except every other countries to start going about it : but the feathers ..., but the red ..., but ...

Talking about color ? Why is this no mention of the choice of sakura white glittering pink ?

Look to me like the stylist did his best to match as much of Japan as he could in an international beauty pageant format.

@Hito Bito

Thanks, just making my point too.

FluteToday  12:35 pm JST

@Antiquesaving

It is not a kimono. It is a dress. So it follows dress rules. If she went on the stage with a male dress all comments will be about her wearing a male dress. Do you really think the hatter will like it ? And just average Japanese fashionisita when they will be seen as messing it up ?

No even the designer says it is a "Kimono" inspired design not a "western" dress inspired.

The part of the show it was used in was from

the National Costume Show on Dec 10

So suddenly everyone is back peddling trying to claim it has nothing to do with a Kimono or Japan tradition.

It was used and promoted as National costume and said Kimono inspired.

So please stop now trying to claim it is as western tradition dress.

People it's a costume! Relax.

zichiToday  12:36 pm JST

OK from the article

the National Costume Show on Dec 10

As the host says in the video, the costume is designed to celebrate “the incredible Japanese Harajuku fashion culture“. This design inspiration is likely where the problems started, because rather than showcase the national costume to the world in a modern way that remains sensitive to the culture of the country, this costume ended up mashing together stereotypes that are known to rub people in Japan up the wrong way.

Even if one says it is not a Kimono ( despite the designer saying it is Kimono inspired).

One has to notice the Kimono style sleeves, etc..

Even in the most outrageous place in Harajuku not Japanese designer would create a kimono inspired garment with even a look of possibly being folded over as is worn by the dead.

My 2 children are in their 20s raised by a single Gaijin father, my daughter is a Harajuku girl, and they both took one look at this thing and pointed out that it would be unacceptable in Japan including Harajuku.

runner3Today  12:46 pm JST

People it's a costume! Relax

Would you say the same if the show was held in Japan, the designer Japanese and they dressed miss Israel in a dress that made Jewish people think of a Tachrichim  (תכריכים) or that looked like one?

If the above happened we would be inundated by comments pointing out how blind the Japanese designer is towards other cultures.

zichiToday  12:56 pm JST

Any faults in the dress are the designer and not the wearer

Well yes and No.

If she had proper knowledge of Japanese culture she would have quickly pointed out the problem.

This dress had to be fitted, multiple fittings had to be held.

So once she noticed how the front crossed she could have pointed out that was for the dead.

On hearing that I am sure the designer and organisers would have made the changes.

But it seems she doesn't have proper knowledge of the culture she is supposed to be representing.

@runner3

It's just people commenting on a costume. Relax!

@Antiquesaving

Good point, really.

People here whine every days about insensitive the japanese are, and get mad when the japanese fight back.

zichiToday  01:07 pm JST

Storm in a green teacup.

Would you be saying that if the show was held in Japan and the designer Japanese using something related to funeral tradition of another culture?

I don't think she liked it. The pouty expression on her face seems to scream 'I wanna kill the twerp that dressed me like this'.

this costume ended up mashing together stereotypes that are known to rub people in Japan up the wrong way.

Pot meet kettle!

@Antiquesaving

The designer said it is kimono inspired and you consider it is a kimono. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

It is inspired so it is not. They have battleship inspired anime with girls fighting. They are not boat, they are girls.

Why is there so many people bringing judaïsm in ?

Considering how far the dress is from a burial kimono, I am pretty sure lot of people are currently wearing or owning Tachrichim like clothes.

You know Japanese are able to wear wrap dress the right way, pretty sure in Harajuku too. They can also wear non wraped or folding cloths with line going from right to left.

And since some people seems to have trouble reading between lines, along with all others explanations, an obvious other one is that the stylist is smart enough to know that no matter which way the line go, it will be smashed in Japan because dead, because man, because dead again, ... ; the best bet was to choose to make it so that it will goes smoothly around the most people (including Japanese and the like not looking to be offended) because it is a competition and he want the Japanese lady to win or something like that.

But yes the only explanation is freaking foreigner (moreover Jews since it seems to be a thing here now) and freaking half are stupid/unrespectful/unprofessional/incompetent/... or whatever bad word you can throw at them.

FluteToday  01:31 pm JST

In your rant you omitted the main point.

National Costume Show on Dec 10. 

So your trying to distance this monstrosity of a garment from a kimono the simple fact that this monstrosity was part of the

National Costume Show on Dec 10. 

Part of the show says far more than all the attempts here to say it isn't a Kimono.

Now tell us what are the choices for a "National costume" with regards to Japan? Kimono, Hapi, Jimbe, etc..all of which follow the same culture of living and dead folding.

You and others can try a protest saying it is not a Kimono it has. Nothing to do with a kimono then if so please point out what "National costume" it is related to?!

That's not a kimono. It's got some influences from a kimono. Although technically, in Japanese it is a kimono, seeing as the word just means "something that is worn". But the thing the Japanese refer to as a kimono is not the thing the lady in the picture is wearing.

That's not a kimono. It's got some influences from a kimono. Although technically, in Japanese it is a kimono, seeing as the word just means "something that is worn". But the thing the Japanese refer to as a kimono is not the thing the lady in the picture is wearing.

Ok then I am still waiting to know what "National costume" it is if not a Kimono!

Remember this was worn in the "National costume" part of the show.

So instead of down votes how about some brave person tell me What "National costume" this monstrosity represents?

Ok then I am still waiting to know what "National costume" it is if not a Kimono!

A costume? Like at Halloween?

Remember this was worn in the "National costume" part of the show.

And was this "costume" vetted by the Japanese government and officially proclaimed as an example of the Official Costume of Japan? Or was that just the name of a segment of a fashion show, with no actual official bearing or meaning whatsoever?

So instead of down votes how about some brave person tell me What "National costume" this monstrosity represents?

It looks kimono influenced.

I do not see a kimono in that dress at all. Not being Japanese, the right over left at the top is meaningless to me. It just looks like Japanese anime modern and not much more.

I see nothing to get angry about but I get it is a purely Japanese thing.

It is NOT a Kimono - mini-skirt, zip, shoulder-less, pink lacy, etc etc

It is NOT the National Costume.

It is a fantasy interpretation for an event - Miss Universe - that is ALL Fantasy. It's Showtime.

Miss Universe is NOT a UNESCO cultural exposition.

It's Big Business that's way past it's use-by-date.

Again Be Real.

The kanji is trashy, and the cats don't really belong.

But, otherwise, it's just "fashion." What does it matter?

Japanese people, as usual taking this too seriously with a closed minded offense to nothing.

Japanese people, as usual taking this too seriously with a closed minded offense to nothing.

Oh i assure you the Japanese people don't really care. A few people in Japan do.

@Antiquesaving

I think you misunderstood who is ranting here. I will not lie about the fact I am frankly displeased by the total lack of respect some people show to the designer moreover now that some seems to find it so important to go for anything jews related. (This kind of statement from some people are very disappointing to say the less).

Nobody is negating it is kimono inspired. I clearly pointed out the shelves. But it is not just kimono inspired it is also harajuku inspired. Fashion in Japan is a big mix up of inspiration from around the world. They incorporated also western clothing rules. Look at official photo of official people, at people going to office job, students going to school, people going to marriage, ...

You kept going about kimono but fail to prove the torso/back part is made to fit kimono standard. The cutting, the piece shape, the shoulder and higher part of arm, the shape of the line, the fitting ... all point in the direction it is not kimono. Do you really believe a stylist will not have been able to make a more kimono like torso/back part if they wanted too. For me it look more inspired of magical girl costume which actually bring us to school uniform then western folding. But I have doubt, the stylist went that far.

After, it would be funny if we end up being told the video was show in reverse.

that is not attractive whatsoever. Looks like a rejected print ad for a random beauty company.

So much ado about nothing. Stop watching stupid beauty contests if they offend you.

@Flute

 I will not lie about the fact I am frankly displeased by the total lack of respect some people show to the designer

Why, the costume sucks?

It doesn't look japanese, it looks gaudy and ridiculous.

Why is it a problem when people point this out?

Not to be rude, but tbh, those are literal "clown" costumes (brightest of colors, eye catching as possible, as out of the box as you can to be creative as this is miss world pageunt number 50 so everything's been recycled ya know).

I struggle to find any resemblance of a Japanese kimono. As one to represent Japan, it is a terrible costume.

@Iron Lad

It is perfectly fine to not like the costume. The issue is disregarding the stylist work put into it.

I like it. It speak Japan at first glance and with emphazing a lot of Japan aspects including being at some level humble/natural and at some other extravagant or something like that. Japan is multiform and I find the costume reflect it. For me the designer did a good job.

For people interested, other costumes this year :

https://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/miss-universe-costumes

Interesting to see the costume with the others in context. There were some cool ones in there. I think the Japanese one is fine, though it's weird that she, as a Japanese person, would go with the layering incorrectly. I wonder if there was actually some meaning in that.

@Flute

It is perfectly fine to not like the costume, the designer and the one who wears it.

One look can tell it all.

At best, it's lazy and cheap, at worse, it's insulting.

Honestly doesn't really look like a kimono. But I don't think it's a flattering look either.

The tattoo/permanent marker written kanji really could've been left out.

Must've been a lot of pressure on the designer though and he probably did the best he could, to be fair.

"dead person's kimono"?!? What a completely ridiculous criticism.

First of all, pink and gold are theme colors of this year's Paris Fashion Show. The announcer said when she walked onstage that her costume celebrates Harajuku fashion, so her costume is entirely appropriate, as is her pink hair and irreverent tattoo.

It's a sophisticated costume, actually very appropriate to reflect ultra-cool, fashion-forward Japan on the world stage in 2021!

My biggest problem the design is hot mess! by incorporating too much elements and doesn't have any focus direction. The horrible fake tattoo make it even more worse. If you want tattoo better to do more effort to make it a piece of art by hiring some great talented Tattoo artist so they can contribute make the overall design even better.What a shame.

Look at Korea. Outstanding! Japan, take note. Classy.

https://youtu.be/N_D9VmKGMDQ?t=4190

Japan is getting more anal by the minute.

This is what happens when the extreme right maintains a strong grip on your country.

I think she looks stunning. And to my Japanese fans out there reading this, I don't think YOU look stunning, I think she does. I'm not praising you, I'm praising her. You have nothing to do with it.

It always cracks me up how millions of Japanese will tune in or watch parts or replays or what have you not because they care about her, but they care about how they can pat themselves on the back for her doing well, or scorn her for any negativity. And even in the article it states that they are likely proud of the result AT THE SAME TIME as scorning her for what it took to get it. Not very "stoic", people.

@Tora

To be fair, that looks like clothes patched together, not classy at all.

This contest really does seem insulting to the asian nations.

I think what's bothering people most here is that she has clearly no understanding or even knowledge of Japanese culture. And I bet they only chose her, because she does not look Japanese at all, which is commonly not wanted in western beauty contests but still is Japanese National on Paper.

@Kunchan

It's more than that, but well said!

Harajuku fashion, so her costume is entirely appropriate, as is her pink hair 

Except even in Harajuku no one would design something that grotesque and even if it was an actual fold they wouldn't have made it look like it have a fold in the way a dead person's kimono is followed.

Harajuku, Amine, Cosplay, all still have enough sense and respect for their culture and sensitivity not to do it!

And any adult Japanese should know this

I first thought the Miss Univ Japan costume was ridicuous, Bur after watching the video and other costumes, most of them look ridiculous, Like a bunch of MCU characters, Las Vegas performers and some Lion King cast members. Whoever was in charge of these "national costumes" should be fired.

zichiToday  03:29 pm JST

Tracked down the other contestants and their national dress. The Japanese version is one of the better ones.

I would not have recognised Miss Great Britain from the costume.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/miss-universe-costumes

Now look at the rest!

Take a look at Miss South Korea, see any silly things, any stupid Hangul written in ink on her?

Miss Great Britain, any writing on here.

Then look at Miss Israel a plain elegant dress.

Even if you dismiss the dead person Kimono part, one has to admit it is a grotesque design, playing on poorly understood stereotypes.

Is that a real Japanese kimono? no

is it closely related to a kimono? no

Getting the left over the right rather than right over left, I am sort of 50/50 on this one, but they should hae got it right out of respect.

Tattoo, its a bit of make up on her chest and it will come off, its not real. get a life.

The chrysanthemum emblem is exclusive for the Emperor; true, but its not even an obi its sort of ok, but I can see why it might be offensive to some sensative snowflake.

No one has picked up on the Maneki Neko in her hands,

So, the whole out fit is a car crash, its a mess, the whole outfit is a badly deisigned, with little or no thought, has the designer done this to have a shock effect?

She is as GORGEOUSE as they come, and I personally don't give a damn what anyone think, and she should NOT either.

The flag is very nice touch, may be they could have disigned the costume using several Japanese flags, that would have been a far nicer, and more respectful.

Misses Russia, China and Cambodia had nice costumes, but Misses Kazakhstan and India were the most attractive to my eyes. Some of the others rank with Miss Manekineko for awfulness.

There are a lot more things she could be slammed for.

This has been the best thread ever. It identifies who gets so easily triggered over the most meaningless puff-piece "story" ever!

Love it!

Miss Brazil is gorgeous.

End of story.

She looks terrific. Dress is wonderful. Kanji, an excellent choice. Beautiful.

Zichi, definitely they should have gone for Morris dancer for the Miss UK! :) There is nothing I would relate to UK in her entire getup, but so what.

If they had not said in the article it was supposed to be “inspired” by (please note not actually or even representing) a kimono I would never have associated it with such. The rest is hot air.

Can’t understand why some people are denigrating her looks unless she is not “Japanese” enough?

First of all you can't blame Miss Japan, she placed 16 out of 80 other contestants. If I were to blame anyone I would blame her handlers those who advice her and dress her. There's a lot of things going on back stage and it is happening very fast. Perhaps the guy in the picture had a lot to do with it since he is there posing with her. Perhaps this is why a lot of cultural things could have gone wrong because he may have not known the correct way to wear a kimono for ex. the way the kimono was folded over the model’s chest — right over left, which is only seen on kimono worn by dead people.

The costume was nice, she looks good.

Let the haters bark..

twitter = the international place for jobless people with time on their hands to feel like their opinions are valuable.

The designer did the perfect job, look at all the attention she got. That's money in the bank for her.

Her not having grown up in the culture explains how the wrong-sided layering could slip past her. I don't see that being something someone growing up in Japan would miss. Even just by instinct, it would feel wrong to go that way after only having done it one way every other time you've worn a kimono/yukata/bath robe/gi/whatever, for someone who grew up in Japan.

The big characters make her look cheap, like a stripper. Beauty pageants in general are past their shelf life.

If somebody really thinks this fantasy dress looks like a kimono for a dead person, he needs to go to an optometrist and order eye-glasses.

@Yohan

Nah, it doesn't look like a kimono, more like an awful dress.

It's like they've gone through a checklist of things that make people think of Japan and just thrown it all together.

I'm suprised they didn't give her a samurai sword and an umbrella as well.

The chrysanthemum belt she used has to be the exactly same number of petals as the emperor uses as a royal crest for it to be viewed as disrespectful.

And how ridiculous anyway.

Tattoos have become more common in Japan recently .

Does that look like a kimono to you.

The model is not trying to represent traditional Japanese culture so all this criticism is not necessary.

She is probably more accurately representing the modern sentiment of the younger women in Japan now.

This costume is art and has clearly been designed to create discussion.

What traditions are worth keeping and what are not? Why does Japan dislike tattoos so much? Why are emblems of the imperial family so sacred?

It has clearly worked so is a massive success?

I think it was done on purpose and it is a bucking of social traditions. More power to her. Counter culture at its best thumbing its nose at what people guffaw at.

She looks very kawaii.

I like how the women in Japan mix up different fashion styles.

Very cute !

I’m glad the media own themselves by giving this contest the attention it doesn’t deserve.

For god’s sake, give the girl a break. All these naysayers have nothing better to do but bitch and moan about someone who is trying to make the world a better place. But I forgive you for you know not what you do or say. And in the end we wish her God speed.